Leverage and fulcrum block removal, addition, appraisal, and balancing game

ABSTRACT

A game consisting of an unstable base having a projection out of it where triangular blocks can be inserted to form a structure of branches, each block being identical in length, width and height with every other block. The blocks, composed of material which have weight to them, are inserted one-at-a-time, either in the base projection or into another block in the structure. The process continues alternately between players until one player is eliminated by reason of his or her induction of the collapse of the structure or one or more of the blocks touch the surface of that which is supporting the base, such as a table top.

BACKGROUND

Games based upon the balancing of objects are known. One game is basedupon the balancing of dissimilar shaped blocks, for example. The blocksare stacked one atop the other in sequence until the constructiontopples or no more blocks can be added. Yet another game is based uponthe stacking of blocks having a trapezoidal cross-section. An elongateslot is disposed through the side of each block, such that the stackingof the blocks can also be facilitated by insertion of a rod through theelongate slot. Each of these games is characterized by a stacking of ablock, a brick, a shape, or, generally, a game piece, one atop theother.

Another class of games involves the stacking of game pieces to form atower. Such games are played by first building the tower and thenremoving the game pieces. In one such game, the game is played bybuilding a tower of bricks in multiple levels. Players remove a brickfrom one level and add it to the top of the tower to build new levelsuntil collapse of the tower occurs.

In yet another game, pieces in the shape of blocks are stacked in acrisscrossed pattern to form a tower. The blocks are composed ofmaterial which has a weight and sliding characteristic which permitsthem to be easily removed from the tower. The blocks are then pulled outone at a time from anywhere below the existing top layer of the towerand then placed back atop the tower. This process continues until thetower collapses.

In each of the aforementioned games, the game pieces are typicallyrectangular in shape, although other geometries are known. For example,one game involves the stacking of game pieces where each game piece hasa different geometry.

One problem with these conventional balancing or stacking games is thatthey only focus on the balancing skill of going upward. Suchconventional games are only suitable to a single group having aparticular skill level. Therefore, these games are typically used by anarrow age group.

Each of the above prior art games has to some extent proven to belimited. What would therefore be advantageous would be a game thatoffered a challenge to variable skill level groups. It would also be anadvantage to have a game that had pieces that could be inserted intoeach other without the means of holding devices. It would also be anadvantage to have a game where you formed branches instead of stackingpieces. It would also be an advantage to have a game that waschallenging based on the laws of physics of leverage and fulcrum. Alsoit would be an advantage to have a game where you can go out in alldirections with the game pieces instead of just up like a tower.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to three-dimensional games andspecifically to weight and balance type block games.

The invention includes a method of playing the game wherein multi-level,branches of blocks are formed, said levels consisting of branches ofelongated triangular blocks; a player engages one of said blocks intothe base projection or another said elongated triangular block usingboth hands or only the fingers of one hand as agreed upon before thegame starts, either a new branch is created or an existing branch isextended, again this step is repeated alternately by the players, withnew branches started or extended, until one player is eliminated byreason of causing the structure to collapse, fall over or one of theelongated triangular blocks touches the surface of the said base supportsuch as a table top.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a game, and method ofplaying the same, suited to one or more players, that emphasizesaccurate assessment of where an elongated triangular block can be addedwithout causing the structure to collapse or fall over, and of where onsuch structure said block can be engaged so as to make the balance moreprecarious for the next player, and which as well rewards a player'smanual dexterity and “soft touch” in adding said blocks to thestructure.

It is a further object to provide a game which allows a player freechoice as to where to place a piece, instead of allowing random chancein the nature of turning cards from a deck or the rolling of dice todictate a move.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a game whose piecescan take a variety of shapes and sizes and be formed of a variety ofmaterials.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a game whose piecescan be engaged into each other forming branches instead of pieces thatare stacked.

Another object is to provide a game that calls for physical as well asmental activity and yet is completely safe to play, can take as much oras little time to play as is desired, and which is not prohibitivelyexpensive to make, use or buy.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readilyapparent from the Detailed Description and Drawings which follow. It isto be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theembodiment illustrated and described below, as it may be embodied inother forms within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. shows the frontal view of the unstable base with projection

FIG. 2. shows the top view of the unstable base with projection

FIG. 3. shows a frontal view of an alternative semi stable base

FIG. 4. shows a frontal view of an alternative stable base

FIG. 5. shows an isometric view of an alternative projection withopposing orifices

FIG. 6. shows a top view of an elongate triangular block

FIG. 7. shows a side view of an elongate triangular block

FIG. 8. shows an isometric view of an elongate triangular block

FIG. 9. shows a top view of an elongate triangular block with a weightedobject like a marble in the largest orifice

FIG. 10. shows a side view of an elongate triangular block with aweighted object like a marble in the largest orifice

FIGS. 11-13. show a top view of alternative orifices in elongatetriangular blocks

FIG. 14. shows a frontal view of how the elongate triangular blocks areengaged in the projection and each other forming a branch

FIG. 15. shows a frontal view of the structure as it might appear afterseveral rounds of play

FIG. 16. shows an alternative isometric view of a stable base with anunstable connector, like a spring, attached to the projection

FIG. 17. shows an isometric view of a chock

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the preferred embodiment, a gamecomprising of fifty-four playing pieces 4 (see FIGS. 6-8) and anunstable base 1 with a projection 2. Each of the playing pieces 4 is atriangular block of approximately four (4) inches long by approximatelyone-half (½) inch high by approximately one and nine-sixteenth (1 9/16)inches at the largest width tapering to approximately one-quarter (¼)inch at the smallest width, with the largest end width being curved,also the smallest end width may be curved, with two orifices 8 and 9, ofany shape including round orifices, with one orifice 8 beingapproximately thirteen-sixteenth ( 13/16) inch diameter and the other 9approximately five-eighth (⅝) inch diameter, composed of a sturdymaterial such as wood or plastic. The preferred configuration of thelength, width and height of the blocks is shown in FIGS. 6-8.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the orifices 8 and 9 of block 4 must be largeenough to allow another block 4 to be engaged in it. The orifices 8 and9 must be smooth to allow an engaged block 4 to rotate in it.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 1 is an unstable semisphereapproximately four (4) to five (5) inches in diameter and approximatelytwo (2) inches high, composed of a sturdy material such as wood orplastic.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the projection 2 extends upward from the base1 approximately seven (7) inches high by approximately one and one-half(1½) inches wide by approximately one-half (½) inch thick with one ormore orifices 3 of any shape including round orifices, allowing for theinsertion of block 4, with orifices 3 to be approximatelythirteen-sixteenth ( 13/16) inch diameter, composed of a sturdy materialsuch as wood or plastic.

Alternatively, different orifices may be used including those shown inFIGS. 11-13.

Alternatively, weighted objects 10 (see FIGS. 9-10) such as marbles,stones, and metal tokens may be applied to block 4. An example of amarble 10 applied to a block 4 is shown in FIGS. 9-10.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, a semi stable base may be usedincluding a semisphere with a flat bottom approximately four (4) to five(5) inches in diameter and approximately one and one-half (1½) incheshigh, composed of a sturdy material such as wood or plastic.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a stable base 7 may be used, which isapproximately five (5) inches wide by approximately five (5) inches longby approximately one-half (½) inch high, composed of a sturdy materialsuch as wood or plastic.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, a stable base 7 may be used, whichis approximately five (5) inches wide by approximately five (5) incheslong by approximately one-half (½) inch high, composed of a sturdymaterial such as wood or plastic, having an unstable connector such as aspring 6, connected to the projection 2.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a projection 12 may be approximatelyseven (7) inches high by approximately one and one-half (1½) inches wideby approximately one and one-half (1½) inches wide, with orifices 11 ofany shape including round orifices, to be approximatelythirteen-sixteenth ( 13/16) inch diameter formed on alternate sides,composed of a sturdy material such as wood or plastic.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, chocks may be used to support anunstable base for learning or a different mode of game play.

With such a structure, the elongate blocks 4 may be singularly andsuccessively engaged with the projection 2 into the orifice 3, orengaged with another block 4 into one of the orifices 8 and 9 asillustrated in FIG. 14, thereby forming a new branch or extending orbuilding up another branch (see FIG. 14), with one branch representingat least one block 4 off of the projection 2 or another block 4. Thisprocess alternating continuously by alternate players until one playeris eliminated by reason of his induction of the collapse of thestructure or any elongate triangular blocks 4 touch the surfacesupporting the base 1 such as a table. The development of the game alongthese lines is illustrated in FIG. 15, wherein it may be appreciatedthat the game can only be won through a careful appraisal of the centerof gravity of the structure and the leverage and fulcrum points and,thereafter, considerable skill is needed in engaging the blocks 4 andthe projection 2 to form branches, which will not disturb the balance ofthe structure to a point of collapse or any elongate triangular blocks 4touch the surface supporting the base 1 such as a table.

The rules of play of the game are as follows:

1. One block from the start pile is selected at the beginning of aplayer's turn.

2. When engaging blocks, a player may use both hands or only one hand,whichever method was agreed upon at the beginning of the game.

3. A player may rotate any part of the structure during their turn ofengaging blocks.

4. Once a player removes all hands from the structure after engaging ablock, their turn is over.

5. If the structure collapses or one of the blocks touches the surfacesupporting the base, the player who last moved is eliminated.

In view of the above, it may be appreciated and understood that thepresent invention, in addition to the structure set forth above, also isdefined by a novel method of playing a balancing game which comprisesthe steps of: forming branches, such branches consisting of elongate,triangular blocks and, which is accomplished by, taking a block from thestart pile of blocks and engaging one of said elongate blocks intoanother block or the base projection. The step of engaging one of saidelongate block into another block or the base projection is repeated,starting new branches or extending existing ones, and this stepalternately continuing by alternate players until one player iseliminated by reason of his induction of the collapse of the structureor any elongate triangular blocks touch the surface supporting the basesuch as a table.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise and that within such embodiments, certain changes in detail,construction and/or the form and arrangement of the parts may be madewithout departing from the underlying ideas or principles of thisinvention within the scope of the appended claims.

REFERENCES Incorporated Herein by Reference

none

Provisional Application Claim

I claim the benefits awarded to me for this non-provisional patentapplication from the submission of a provisional patent application,with application No. 61/708,571, submitted on 2012 Oct. 1.

I claim:
 1. A leverage and fulcrum block addition, removal, appraisal,and balancing game structure, comprising: (a) a base consisting of anunstable shape including a semisphere approximately four (4) to five (5)inches in diameter and approximately two (2) inches high (b)alternatively, a base consisting of a semistable shape including asemisphere with a flat bottom approximately four (4) to five (5) inchesin diameter and approximately one and one-half (1½) inches high (c)alternatively, a base consisting of a stable platform approximately five(5) inches wide by approximately five (5) inches long by approximatelyone-half (½) inch high (d) alternatively, a base consisting of saidstable platform with an unstable connector including a spring to a blockprojection (e) the material of said base to be made of all knownmaterials, including: wood, metal, plastic, glass, paper, etc. (f) ablock projection extending upward from said base approximately seven (7)inches high by approximately one and one-half (1½) inches wide byapproximately one-half (½) inch thick with one or more orifices allowingfor the insertion of elongate triangular blocks, with said orifices tobe approximately thirteen-sixteenth ( 13/16) inch diameter (g) thematerial of said block projection to be made of all known materials,including: wood, metal, plastic, glass, paper, etc. (h) one or moreelongate triangular blocks, each block being identical in length, widthand height to every other block, said blocks being approximately four(4) inches long by approximately one-half (½) inch high by approximatelyone and nine-sixteenth (1 9/16) inches at the largest width tapering toapproximately one-quarter (¼) inch at the smallest width, with thelargest end width being curved, also the smallest end width may becurved, with two orifices of any shape including round orifices, withone orifice being approximately thirteen-sixteenth ( 13/16) inchdiameter and the other approximately five-eighth (⅝) inch diameter (i)alternatively, the elongate triangular blocks can be cylindrical attheir smallest end (j) alternatively, the elongate triangular blocks canbe of various shapes and sizes (k) the material of said elongatetriangular blocks to be made of all known materials, including: wood,metal, plastic, glass, paper, etc. (l) weighted objects includingmarbles of different materials, metal tokens, etc., which can be addedto said elongate triangular blocks by attaching to the block orinserting into any of the orifices (m) also, the elongate triangularblocks may be allowed to rotate in the orifices (n) also, the elongatetriangular blocks are engaged in each other and the projection, formingbranches instead of stacking the blocks (o) chocks that will secure theunstable base for a stable mode of play or for learning the game wherebysaid elongate triangular blocks may be singularly and successively addedor removed from the base projection and each other, this processalternately continuing by alternate players until one player iseliminated by reason of his induction of the collapse of the structureor any said elongate triangular blocks touch the surface supporting thesaid base such as a table.
 2. The method of playing a balancing game,comprising the steps of: (a) forming a structure by inserting saidelongate triangular blocks into the said orifices of the said baseprojection and each other (b) placing said one elongate triangular blockinto said orifice of the said base projection or another said elongatetriangular block, using both hands; and (c) repeating step (b), buildinga structure of multiple said elongate triangular blocks formingbranches, alternately continuing by alternate players until one playeris eliminated by reason of his induction of the collapse of thestructure or any said elongate triangular blocks touch the surfacesupporting the said base such as a table. (d) in the event the structuredoes not collapse after all said elongate triangular blocks are used,the structure is dismantled by reversing step (b) alternately continuingby alternate players until one player is eliminated by reason of hisinduction of the collapse of the structure or any said elongatetriangular blocks touch the surface supporting the said base such as atable. (e) alternatively, only the fingers of one hand can be usedinstead of both hands referenced in step (b) (f) alternatively, a pointsystem can be introduced to change the play (g) alternatively, a colorsystem can be introduced to change the play (h) alternatively, a settime can be used to increase the difficulty level (i) alternatively,weighted elongate triangular blocks can be used to change the play (j)alternatively, solid elongate triangular blocks with no orifices can beused to change the play (k) alternatively, chocks can be used to changethe mode of play